A Calmer Veterinary Experience for Your Pet
Town and Country Animal Hospital is proud to be a Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice.
Our entire team is specially trained to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress for pets during veterinary visits. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, every part of your pet’s experience is designed to help them feel calm, confident, and comfortable.
Because when your pet feels safe, we can provide better medical care.
Schedule a visit and experience the Fear-Free difference today!
What Makes Fear Free Different
-Your pet stays with you whenever possible
-Treatments are often performed right in the exam room
-Every team member is Fear Free Certified
-Our hospital environment is designed to reduce stress
-Calm pets allow for better exams and better outcomes
Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice
A Better Veterinary Experience for Your Pet and Your Family
Fear Free is a science-based approach to veterinary care that focuses on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress during veterinary visits.
Many veterinary professionals become individually Fear Free Certified, which means they receive specialized training in low-stress handling and behavior awareness.
A Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice goes even further.
It means the entire hospital operates under Fear Free standards, and every part of the patient experience has been intentionally designed to support calmer pets and better care.
At Town and Country Animal Hospital:
• Every member of our team is individually Fear Free Certified
• Fear Free principles guide how we handle pets and interact with clients
• Our hospital environment is designed to support low-stress veterinary care
Fear Free touches every step of your visit.
Your Pet Stays With You
One of the most important parts of Fear Free veterinary care is recognizing that pets feel safest when they are with the people they trust most.
Whenever possible, we keep pets with their owners throughout the visit.
In many traditional veterinary settings, pets are taken to a separate treatment area for routine procedures. While that may sometimes be necessary for safety or specialized care, our goal is to perform as much care as possible right in the exam room with you present.
Whenever appropriate, treatments such as:
• Blood draws
• Vaccinations
• Injections
• Nail trims
• Minor procedures
may be performed in the exam room while you remain with your pet.
This approach helps reduce stress, build trust, and create a more comfortable experience for both pets and their families.
Better Medicine Starts With Less Stress
When pets experience fear or anxiety, it can affect far more than their behavior.
Stress can elevate heart rate, affect breathing, and make exams or diagnostics more difficult.
Fear Free helps change that.
When pets are calm and confident:
• Physical exams are more accurate
• Diagnostics are more reliable
• Procedures are safer
• Recovery can be smoother
Simply put, when pets are less stressed, medical care improves and outcomes are better.
Fear Free allows us to practice veterinary medicine at the highest level while also creating a more positive experience for pets and their families.
Caring for the Whole Pet and the Whole Family
At Town and Country Animal Hospital, we believe great veterinary care means caring for the whole pet, not just the medical condition.
Pets experience veterinary visits emotionally as well as physically. Fear Free care recognizes that emotional wellbeing plays an important role in overall health.
It also recognizes the bond between pets and the people who love them.
When your pet feels calmer, the entire experience becomes easier for your family as well.
That philosophy has always guided our hospital.
Love People. Love Pets.
Fear Free helps us live that mission every day.
Every Team Member Is Fear Free Certified
At Town and Country Animal Hospital, every member of our team is individually Fear Free Certified.
Our doctors, technicians, and support staff have completed specialized training focused on recognizing and reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Together, our team works to ensure Fear Free principles guide every interaction, every exam, and every moment of care.
That shared commitment is what allows our hospital to achieve Fear Free Certified Practice status.
Fear Free Touches Every Part of Your Visit
Because we are a Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice, our approach extends beyond gentle handling. It influences the environment, workflow, and overall experience of every appointment.
Before Your Visit
We begin preparing for your pet before you even arrive.
Our team may review a Pre-Visit Questionnaire (PVQ) to better understand your pet’s personality, preferences, and past experiences.
This allows us to tailor the visit to your pet’s needs and reduce potential stress triggers.
In the Lobby
The Fear Free experience begins the moment you walk through the door.
You may notice elements designed to create a calmer environment, including:
• Bandanas with calming pheromone spray
• Pheromone diffusers
• Calming music
• Gentle greetings from our team
These details help pets relax before the exam even begins.
In the Exam Room
Our exam rooms are designed to help pets feel secure and confident.
You may see:
• Non-slip yoga mats to provide stable footing
• Treats used to create positive associations
• Pheromone spray to support relaxation
• Cat trees for feline patients
• Water bowls available when needed
Our team uses gentle handling techniques and positive reinforcement so pets feel supported rather than restrained.
In Treatment and Recovery Areas
Fear Free care continues behind the scenes as well.
For pets who need to stay with us for treatment or monitoring, we incorporate comfort-focused elements such as:
• Shelter dens for security
• Litter boxes for feline patients
• Toys and treats
• Calming music
• Yoga mats for traction
• Mesh cage covers to reduce visual stress
These adjustments help pets feel safer and more relaxed during their time with us.
Experience the Difference
If you would like to learn more about Fear Free care or schedule an appointment, our team would be happy to help.
Town and Country Animal Hospital
9836 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 273-2110
https://www.townandcountryanimalh.com
Schedule a visit and experience the Fear-Free difference today!